Derwent Valley Mayor, Martyn Evans, was very excited today with the release to Councillors of a video of historic tunnels that run under New Norfolk. “There has been speculation for some time about tunnels running under our town, the video shown to Councillors today at a Council Workshop confirms this important discovery.
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“The tunnels run in vicinity of Burnett Street to The Avenue area and are believed to have been built in the mid 1800s; with significant repairs having been done in the late 1920s.“Much of this find is still to be confirmed; however it opens up a whole new world of heritage and tourism opportunities for New Norfolk and the wider Derwent Valley,” Martyn Evans said.
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For many years there has been speculation that New Norfolk housed a series of underground tunnels. Some believed they were used for transferring convicts or patients to and from boats and Willow Court, while others thought that they were drains put in during the settlement period. The video shown to Derwent Valley Councillors confirms that these are tunnels that are wide enough for people to walk through comfortably.
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“There is still a lot of work to be done, including further investigation and filming of the find. Council is hoping to work with Heritage Tasmania and the State and Australian Governments to ensure that this important find is conserved and if safe, made available to the public to see.
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“These tunnels compliment the Derwent Valley’s already strong reputation as a heritage hot spot in Tasmania, and will provide not only tourism but also research opportunities well into the future,” Mayor Evans said.
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The video is said to be taken on Burnet St between the United Service Station and the corner Supermarket approximately 90 metres away.
My sources tell me the person who filmed the tunnel was hired by the local council. It was stated that they initially filmed the tunnel using a remote camera followed by an actual walkthrough.
I have been informed that the filming occurred last month, which begs the question how did they get into the tunnel from that location?????
The film and pictures have been sent to the media via the Council, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.
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Below is a few tunnel posts that I have blogged about in the past. The truth about the tunnel has been a personal quest for me for quite some time with very little information been uncovered.. I’m hoping the latest finding will be the start of many things for the Tunnel including what was the tunnel for??
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** Old Posts**
I have been trying to research and find this tunnel for a number of years. I have been told about its existence by a number of credible people. Council workers told me they seen the tunnel in Burnett St whilst they were installing the planter boxes a few years ago, they stated it was big enough to walk thru. Another source also told me it was big enough to walk thru and had a small drain running thru the middle of it. I have also been told many years back that a Backo fell partially into the tunnel outside Ward J.
I do know 100% that there is a drain that runs underneath Burnett St as I have seen the Mercury news paper clipping on TROVE:
So Far the Council have denied any information in regards to the tunnel. It can’t be ignored now it has gone statewide in today’s Mercury 12/11/11. Something has to be done to protect the tunnel before its ruined!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is the latest up to date information regarding the Tunnel
In today’s Mercury Newspaper and online there is a great article about the uncovering of a ventilation shaft from a possible Tunnel that runs under Burnett St from Willow Court to the Bush Inn.
The article has some information from people who seen the shaft first had on the day it was dug up, also some good comments from local historians and private owners.
This is very exciting times and news midst some sad news we had yesterday in regards to the fire and demolition of Ward 1.
I strongly support some form of archaeological investigation and the sooner the better. This could be another tourism gold mine for New Norfolk a town that has so much tourism potential it’s crazy. Let’s hope something is done!!!!
I put my hand up for any Investigations of the tunnel LOL
Nick Jarvis
